A registered sex offender is once again behind bars after Broward Sheriff's Office officials said he tried to lure children to him as they were walking home from school.
Frederick Muller, 38, was arrested Thursday on a sex offender violation charge of failure to register as required and a sexual predator violation of renew information on driver’s license within 48 hours, BSO officials said.
The arrest was made after deputies responded to Collins Community Center at 3800 Northeast 3rd Avenue after a witness alerted deputies that a man appeared to be talking to children, trying to lure the children to him.
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The children had recently been dismissed from Oakland Park Elementary School.
Deputies located the man, Muller, and took him into custody.
“It does not appear that any children actually went to this individual,” said sheriff’s spokesman Carey Codd. “However, this is very concerning for the community.”
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Florida prison records showed Muller had been convicted in Broward County of lewd and lascivious battery on a person aged 12 to 15 and was released from prison on June 27.
Muller was booked into jail where he was being held on $10,500 bond. Attorney information wasn't available.
At Muller’s first court appearance Monday, the judge also ordered he receive a mental health evaluation.
The principal of Oakland Park Elementary sent a robocall to families on Monday informing them of the incident.
"This serves as an important reminder for our parents, guardians and caregivers to remind students about stranger dangers – and staying safe as they walk to or from school," the call said, in part. "If you believe your child may have been approached by an individual near the Community Center last Thursday, we encourage you to contact the Broward Sheriff’s Office or let one of our administrators know."
No victims have come forward from Thursday's incident but authorities are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Muller or has pertinent information regarding the incident to contact BSO at 954-321-4789.
